PhD in Nutrition & Metabolism

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Nutrition scientists apply the tools of physiology, biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, and genetics and genomics, as well as epidemiology and social sciences, to address questions that are important for understanding the impact of nutrition on human health. Students can tailor their coursework and research experiences to pursue their interests.

The doctoral program in Nutrition & Metabolism provides students with core knowledge of the biomedical sciences through the FiBS curriculum. Nutrition & Metabolism coursework addresses how this basic knowledge applies to the study of nutrition and metabolism in health and disease at basic, translational research, and population-based levels. To see program highlights and faculty and additional information on research programs, please visit the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences Nutrition & Metabolism website.

Qualifying Examinations

Candidates for the PhD and MD/PhD degrees in Nutrition & Metabolism must pass a two-part qualifying exam that includes a written examination and an oral defense of a “mock grant proposal”.

Thesis Advisory Committee and Thesis Defense

The Nutrition & Metabolism program requires five Advisory Committee members including the chair (who must be a GMS faculty member), the primary mentor, and at least one outside member. The committee is assembled at least once annually to discuss the progress of the dissertation research, or more often as the situation warrants. Once the Thesis Advisory Committee determines that the research work is complete, the student writes and orally defends the thesis.

Financial Support

Financial assistance in the form of tuition and health benefits, as well as a living stipend, is available to students in good standing in the PhD program.

Elective Courses

Electives may be selected from the many course offerings in GMS according to individual interests and goals (after consulting with your advisor). Students focusing on nutritional epidemiology should select more advanced courses in epidemiology and biostatistics in consultation with their advisor. Similarly, students focusing on metabolism should select electives in biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics/genomics, and physiology.

The following electives are recommended as options, depending on student’s interest:

Faculty and Research Programs

Research interests of our faculty (a full list of faculty is below) focus on the role of nutrition and nutrient metabolism in the pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment of chronic diseases from basic, clinical, and epidemiological perspectives.